Therapy for teens finding their footing
I work with teens who are figuring out who they are, where they’re going, and how to manage everything that comes with growing up and becoming your own person. In our work, we can talk about school stress, family tension, friendships, identity, and the pressure that comes with all of it.
What people bring me
Teens often come in feeling overwhelmed, shut down, irritable, or unsure how to talk about what’s going on. They may be dealing with pressure at school, tension at home, friendship drama, or the feeling that everyone else has a clearer path. Sometimes they don’t know what they need yet, just that things feel hard to carry alone. The work can be a place to slow down and say things out loud without being talked over.
- I feel lost and I don’t know what to do next.
- I’m tired of being asked why I’m like this.
- I can’t keep up with everything people expect from me.
- I don’t know how to say what’s going on.
How I work with it
I work with teens in a collaborative, down-to-earth way, and I keep the tone flexible enough to fit the person in front of me. We might talk through feelings, patterns, or specific situations at school, home, or with friends, depending on what matters most. CBT, DBT, and Psychodynamic approaches all give us ways to look at what’s happening and how it affects everyday life.
- CBT
- CBT can help teens notice the thoughts and habits that keep them stuck in the same loop. We look at real situations and what happens inside them.
- DBT
- DBT gives teens tools for handling strong feelings and reactions. It can be useful when things feel intense, fast, or hard to cool down.
- Psychodynamic
- Psychodynamic work helps when a teen wants to understand why certain patterns keep showing up. We look at the feelings and relationships beneath what’s happening on the surface.
What the first sessions look like
The first sessions are about getting to know what’s been going on and what feels most important to talk about. We’ll go at a pace that makes sense, and you can come in without the perfect explanation. If it helps, we can also think about what would make therapy feel useful to you.
Therapy with me is a space where you can show up exactly as you are.
Questions people ask
Do you do therapy for teens who don’t want to talk much?
Yes. We can start with what feels easiest to say and build from there.
What kinds of things do teens usually bring to therapy?
A lot of teens come in with stress, self-doubt, relationship stress, or a big life change. Sometimes they just feel lost and can’t tell what’s wrong yet.
Can teens come in for anxiety help?
Yes. Anxiety is one of the common reasons teens come to therapy with me.
Do I have to know what to say in the first session?
No. We can start with whatever feels most present, even if that’s just a vague sense that things are too much.
About Katie McHugh Psychotherapy
Katie McHugh offers therapy for teens in New York for anxiety, self-doubt, relationship stress, and life changes. My first session starts with what brings you in.
Katie McHughLCSW
Talk it through with Katie
Tell us what has been going on and we will take it from there.